John Bolaris

For Philly.com

A storm system rushing through western New York State stretched an extended arm of snow into the Philly region overnight, with the most significant snow falling across suburbs to the north and west of the city.

But the snow, which dropped an inch or two in most places, was already tapering off by 5:30 a.m. Most of it should be off the coast by about 8 a.m. - if not sooner. With temperatures expected to climb well above freezing today, the snow should not be an issue for long.

Hmmm, to be in Sochi, Russia, where the Olympians are sweating their BOBTAILS off. Go figure, the Winter Olympics, where temperatures are in the balmy 50s and 60s. Reversal of fortunes, you might say.

Anyway back to the homeland. Snow arrived in the wee hours, with the heaviest about 4 a.m.

After 8 a.m., any lingering snow will rapidly taper to some light freezing rain and/or drizzle, mainly across our northern and western suburbs, and end for everyone before noon. The sun returns for the afternoon.

In that short of period, without any super energizing force, snow will be mainly below significant levels of 4 inches.